June 2019

weekend free-for-all – June 29-30, 2019

This comment section is open for any non-work-related discussion you’d like to have with other readers, by popular demand. (This one is truly no work and no school.) Book recommendation of the week: Chasing Cosby: The Downfall of America’s Dad, by Nicole Weisensee Egan. He’s even worse than you already knew. * I make a commission if you use […]

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open thread – June 28-29, 2019

It’s the Friday open thread! The comment section on this post is open for discussion with other readers on anything work-related that you want to talk about. If you want an answer from me, emailing me is still your best bet*, but this is a chance to talk to other readers. * If you submitted […]

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update: coworker complains about my tattoos

Remember the letter-writer whose coworker kept complaining about her tattoos? Here’s the update. So, the situation with Carol has been resolved. I actually spoke to her the same day you posted my letter; I ran into her in the break room and she started in again. I interrupted her and said, “That’s enough. I have […]

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my boss wants me to hang up on elderly callers who can’t hear me, asking to work from home with a new puppy, and more

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My boss wants me to hang up on elderly callers who can’t hear me I work for a small not-for-profit organization which deals with a variety of clients, including the elderly, low-income, and disabled. We’re also located in an area with notoriously bad cell service. […]

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my coworker is always dieting — do we have to accommodate her?

A reader writes: I have seen you suggest responses for accommodating coworkers with dietary restrictions due to health or religious needs, but what about coworkers who CHOOSE to go on diets? I have a coworker that has been willingly doing the Keto diet for the last year, and she still is insufferable about it. Anytime […]

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my employee keeps commenting on my looks

A reader writes: How can I best discipline/provide feedback to an employee of mine about his frequent inappropriate comments about my body/attractiveness? I’m worried about inadvertently devolving into “you think I’m hot” territory or drawing even more attention to my body, which makes me very, very uncomfortable. Some recent comments/actions include: * “You’re bringing sexy […]

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